Feeding mechanism for a container forming machine



D. WAINBERG Nov. 14, 1967 FEEDING MECHANISM FOR A CONTAINER FORMING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 1, 1964 D. WAINBERG 3,352,216

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR A CONTAINER FORMING MACHINE Nov. 14, 1967 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 1, 1964 NOV. 14, 1967 w m E 3,352,216

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR A CONTAINER FORMING MACHINE Filed July 1, 1964 ll Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 1, 1964 Noy. 14, 1967 D. WAINBERG 3,352,216

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR A CONTAINER FORMING MACHINE ll Sheets-Shed 4 Nov. 14, 1967 D. WAINBERG 3,352,216

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR A CONTAINER FORMING MACHINE Filed July 1, 1964 11 Sheet-Sheet a Nov. 14, 1967 D. WAINBERG FEEDING MECHANISM FOR A CONTAINER FORMING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 1, 1964 QQLQ Nov. 14, 1967 p. WAINBERG FEEDING MECHANISM FOR A CONTAINER FORMING MACHINE Filed July 1, 1964 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 $9 L9 gmwna 1967 D. WAINBERG 3,352,216

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR A CONTAINER FORMING MACHINE Nov. 14, 1967 D, WMNBER 3,352,216

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR A CONTAINER FORMING MACHINE Filed July 1, 1964 ll SheetSSheec 9 eo-m I 7 7 HY I 5 s7. v 80 s9 45 Nov. 14, 1967 Filed July 1, 1964 D. WAINBERG FEEDING MECHANISM FOR A CONTAINER FORMING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 1O 6O a I 6 51 I 49 I02 92 10s Nov. 14, 1967 D; WAINBERG 3,352,216

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR A CONTAINER FORMING MACHINE Filed July 1, 1964 ll Sheets-Sheet 11 INV'EN 70R United States Patent Ofiice 3,352,216 Patented Nov. 14, 1967 3,352,216 rename MncHANrsM non A CONTAINER The invention relates to improvements in a feeding mechanism for a container forming machine as described in the present specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part of the same.

The invention consists essentially in the novel features of construction as pointed out broadly and specifically in the claims for novelty following a description containing an explanation in detail of acceptable forms of the invention.

An object of the invention is to facilitate the removal of pre-cut blanks from a magazine and quickly transfer them to a forming die of the container forming machine in a positive manner and with speed and dexterity.

Another object of the invention is to devise a means whereby the magazine for the pre-cut blanks may be quickly and detachably secured to the container forming machine and simultaneously be brought into co-axial alignment position in relation to the forming die of the machine, and the alignment positioning of the blank pick-up member of the blank pick-up mechanism with the magazine and the forming die in the transference of the foremost pre-cut blank from the magazine to the forming die without the need of unnecessary adjustments, and consequently eliminating extraneous parts to the machine and minimizing possible manual maladjustment in the setting up of the feeding mechanism with relation to the forming die of the container forming machine.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a means whereby the pre-cut blanks, that are supported in the magazine in an edgewise position, will be subjected to an activating means so as to reduce the constant frictional contact with the blank supporting members of the magazine and thereby prevent the blanks from frictionally sticking to one another and to the guide rods.

A further object of the invention is to construct a magazine for the pre-cut blanks that can be easily detached from the machine and replaced by another magazine of a different size, shape or style Without the necessity of having to make a number of adjustments and alignments with the blank pick-up mechanism and the positional relationship with the forming die of the machine, and consequently saving considerable time and labour in the exchange and securement of the magazine to or into the forming machine.

A still further object of the invention is to provide easier access to the blanks supported in the magazine and permitting greater freedom for the removal of the foremost blank therefrom through reducing the blank retaining means to the minimum, and thereby effecting a smoother operation for the removal of the blanks from the magazine to the forming die of the container forming magazine.

A still further object of the invention is to devise a feeding mechanism that will deposit a pre-cut blank, one at a time, from the magazine to a folding die in a quick, even and accurate manner and that will be placed in the precise position so that the blank will be folded at the intended fold lines without the necessity of using auxiliary guide members or the like for adjusting or readjusting the position of the blank on the die.

A still further object of the invention is to avoid the accidental misalignment of a pre-cut container blank on the forming die of a container forming machine and to assure that only one blank at a time is taken from the magazine and delivered to the forming die, and thereby avoid the danger of any disruption or breakdown on the operation of the machine, the stopping of production, and on occasions, necessitating repairs to the machine.

Still another object of the invention is to devise a means whereby the magazine for the blanks and the blank pickup member may be quickly removed from the container forming machine and replaced with other magazines and pick-up members in accordance with the required different sizes, shapes and styles of blanks.

Still another object of the invention is to permit easy and quick adjustment of the suction cups or other gripping members of the pick-up member and the speedy removal of the same when necessary.

A still further object of the invention is to minimize costly breakdowns on the assembly line and to provide a blank feeding mechanism that will be durable in construction, light and compact in form, simple to operate and requiring the minimum of space for installation and operations.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein preferred forms of the invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the container forming machine and the blank feeding mechanism.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the container forming machine and the blank feeding mechanism having the casing walls removed to disclose the operating mechanism.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the container forming machine and the blank feeding mechanism as illustrated in FIGURE 2 and showing the blank pick-up mechanism removing a blank from the magazine.

FIGURE 4 is a front view of the container forming machine and the blank feeding mechanism as illustrated in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a rear view of the container forming machine and the blank feeding mechanism as illustrated in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a side view of the opposite side of the container forming machine and the blank feeding mech anism as illustrated in FIGURE 2, but showing the blank pick-up mechanism placing a blank over the forming die.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the operating mechanism for the plunger mechanism, the blank feeding mechanism and the container conveying mechanism.

FIGURE 8 is a cross sectional view as line 8-8 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 9 is a cross sectional view as taken along the line 9-9 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 10 is a longitudinal sectional view as taken along the line 10-10 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 11 is a longitudinal sectional view as taken along the line 11-11 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the blank pick-up mechanism as secured to the container forming machine.

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the magazine for the pre-cut blanks as detachably secured to the frame of the container forming machine and secured to the forming die that is detachably secured to the frame of the machine.

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of amodified form of the magazine in which the blank supporting members are in the form of hollow tubes having air inlets connected therewith and a plurality of air discharge ports formed along their lengths, and illustrating the magazine and the forming die integrally connected to one another by an apron.

taken along the FIGURE is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the magazine for the blanks illustrating the blank pick-up member about to engage with and remove the foremost blank from the magazine.

FIGURE 16 is a schematic view illustrating the position of the blank pick-up mechanism as the blank pick-up member is removing a blank away from the magazine.

FIGURE 17 is a schematic view illustrating the position of the blank pick-up mechanism as the blank pick-up member carries the blank towards the forming die.

FIGURE 18 is a schematic view illustrating the position of the blank pick-up mechanism as the blank pick-up member places the blank fiatwise across the throat of the forming die.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.

Referring to the drawings, the blank feeding mechanism of the container forming machine consists of the blank pick-up mechanism and the magazine 26 for the blanks 27 and are in close proximity to one another and suitably supported to the container forming machine.

The blank pick-up mechanism consists of a pair of parallel arms 29 and 30 thatare secured. at their outer ends 31 and 32 to the main transverse shaft 33 journalled in the brackets 34 and 35 suitably mounted and secured to the end wall 36 and the side walls 37. The inner ends 38 and 39 of the parallel arms 29 and 30 are pivotally secured to the ends of the oscillating transverse rod 40 and to which are also pivotally secured arms 41 and 42 that support the transverse blank pick-up member 43. The supporting arms 41 and 42 have the offset bracket arms 44 and 45 located adjacent to their forked ends 46 and 47 and which are for the purpose of supporting the transverse blank pick-up member 43 that may be adjustably held in their supported position.

The lever arms 48 and 49 are pivotally secured to the forked ends of the supporting rods and have their outer ends pivotally secured to the auxiliary transverse shaft 50, which is journalled to the side walls 37 of the container forming machine, and have the offset arms 51 and 52 pivotally secured to and operated by the operating rods 53 and 54. These operating rods are connected to the operative mechanism of the container forming machine.

and will hereinafter be more generally described for the purpose of particularizing an acceptable means for actuating the feeding mechanism. The container forming machine and its operative mechanism is the subject matter of a separate patent application as it is adaptable for the operation of other types of feeding mechanisms.

The pick-up mechanism is located in the locale of the container forming mechanism of the forming machine and is capable of jackknifing the blank pick-up member 43 in and out of positional alignment with the discharge end of the blank supporting magazine and in and out of positional alignment with the forming die 55 and the plunger 56 of the container forming mechanism.

In the blank pick-up position, the blank pick-up mechanchism has its parallel arms 29 and 30 extending inwardly at approximately their highest angular position with relation to the journalled or fixed transverse position of the main transverse shaft "33 and causing the sup porting arms 41 and 42 and the lever arms 48 and 49 to expand inwardly at an obtuse angle from the journalled position of the transverse shaft and the movable transverse position of the oscillating transverse rod 40. This will bring the bracket arms 44 and 45 of the supporting arms 41 and 42 in an approximately horizontal position and cause the suction cups 57 of the blank pick-up member to be brought into engaging and suctional position with the foremost blank 27 of the blank magazine 26 for the removal of the blank from the magazine.

The blank pick-up member 43*suctionally grips the foremost blank from the magazine and commences to recede with it away from the magazine 26, the lever arms 48 and 49 and the supporting arms 41 and 42 start their jackknife action for bringing the blank pick-up member into positive alignment with the throat 58 of the forming die and theplunger 56'.

The operating rods 53 and 54 are pivotally secured to the offset arms 51 and 52 and cause them to oscillate, and since the offset arms are integral with the lever arms, the lever arms will also oscillate the supporting arms 41 and 42 and the parallel arms 29 and 30 which are secured to the auxiliary transverse shaft 33.

The lever arms, in their oscillatory motion of travel towards the container forming mechanism, will pull the supporting arms in the direction of the forming die and cause the parallel arms to oscillate in a downward direction. Simultaneously, the blank pick-up member will follow the oscillatory path of travel of the supporting arms as it is secured to the bracket arms 44 and 45 that are fixedly secured to the supporting arms. In this way, the suction cups 57, that are connected to the blank pick-up member and suctionally hold the blank, will constantly and mutually change their angular position until the blank is brought into alignment with the forming die, Where it is lowered to abut the face of the forming die and extend across the throat 58 thereof.

The approximately jackknife position of the combined lever arms and the supporting arms is completed when the maximum radii of the predetermined area of travel by the pivoted lever arms and the supporting arms have been reached and the lever arms are approximately parallel to the parallel arms. At this point, the blank pick-up member, which is supported by the bracket arms to the supporting arms, has reached the uppermost positional height over the forming die, where it is in an approximate parallel alignment therewith.

Since the lever arms and the supporting arms combinations have reached their maximum width of the arcuate path of travel, and the blank pick-up member has moved the blank to its uppermost approximate horizontal alignment height position with the forming die, the blank pickup mechanism must move the blank pick-up member in a downward direction in a gradual reverse arcuate path of travel from the point of maximum radii, in such a way, that there will be an approximate drop of the blank pickup member in almost a steep or perpendicular line from the horizontal for a predetermined distance, as for example, a drop from two to four inches, before the lever and supporting arms combinations, if they were allowed to do so, would recommence their increasing radii in the reverse direction.

The forming die is located vwithin the range of the drop of the blank pick-up member, and when that member has deposited the blank on the face of the forming die and across the throat thereof, it will be returned to the magazine for removing another blank therefrom by the blank pick-up mechanism.

It will be noted that the blank pick-up mechanism is fulcrumed on the one side by the main transverse shaft 33, which is journalled in the brackets 34 and 35 to the forming machine frame, and on the other side by the transverse shaft 50, which is also journalled in the forming machine frame.

Between these two fulcrum points the supporting arms and the lever arms are functionaHy operated, the supporting arms being pivotally connected to one end of the parallel arms 29 and 30 by the oscillating transverse rod 40 while the lever arms are pivotally connected to the forked ends 46- and 47 of the supporting arms. Since the parallel arms are secured to the main transverse shaft 33, forming one of the fulcrums, and the lever arms are secured to the transverse shaft 50, forming the other fulcrum, and the operating rods are connected to the lever arms, the radii of the path of travel and the point of drop of the path of travel, and the return to the path of arcuate travel will be regulated in accordance with the length of the supporting arms, the location and positioning of the blank pick-up member thereon, as Well as the pivotal points connecting the arms to one another in relation to the fixed or fulcrumed bearing points of the blank pick-up mechanism.

The blank pick-up member may be in the form of a hollow rod or tube 59 having the air ducts 60 and 61 secured to the open ends thereof and provided with a plurality of orifices formed along the length thereof to which the suction cups 57 are secured.

The air conduits are connected to a vacuum pump mechanism 62 and the vacuum is suitably controlled for suctionally withdrawing the blanks from the magazine, depositing and releasing such blanks in abutment engagement with the face of the forming die.

It may be mentioned that when the lever arms and the supporting arms combinations have been actuated to cause the blank pick-up member to be brought into contact engagement with the foremost blank in the magazine, the blank pick-up member will have reached the approximate vertical height of the radii path of travel, and at that point, the blank pick-up member will travel in an approximately horizontal line for a predetermined distance before the lever arms and supporting arms combinations, if they were allowed to do so, would recommence their increasing radii in the reverse direction. In this way the blank pick-up member may easily adjust itself to the desired angle of contact with the blank in accordance with the angular position of the discharge end of the magazine 26.

It will be obvious that the method of picking up the blanks from the magazine and depositing the same on the forming die may be reversed, that is to say, the jackknife position of the supporting arms and the lever arms combinations may be used to have the blank pick-up member engage and remove a blank from the magazine and transfer the same to the forming die, while the pick-up position of the blank pick-up mechanism may be used as a depositing and positioning means for placing the blank over the forming die.

The operating rods 53 and 54 have their upper ends pivotally secured at 62 and 63 to the offset arms 51 and 52 and their lower ends pivotally secured at 64 and 65 to the longitudinal rods 66 and 67. The longitudinal rods 66 and 67 are pivotally secured at one end to the fixed bearing members 68 and 69 secured to the container forming machine frame and have their other ends pivotally secured at 70 and 71 to the connecting rods 72 and 73, which in turn, are pivotally secured at 74 and 75 to the crosshead 76.

The crosshead 76 is slidably mounted on the vertical shafts 77 and 78 that are mounted and secured to the forming machine, and is provided with the bracket 79 from which the plunger 80 is suspended therefrom and detachably secured thereto.

The plunger 80 is placed in approximately vertical alignment with the throat 58 of the forming die 55 and is adapted to engage with the blank and force the same through the throat of the die for forming the container. In many cases, particularly in the formation of small sizes of containers or containers of a comparatively shallow depth, this is sufficient for the ejection of the formed container from the forming die. However, in larger containers or containers having greater depth, the containers are not always completely ejected from the throat of the forming die. This creates a problem as the subsequent blanks that are being formed into containers will pile into the previously formed container or containers that are stuck or only partially ejected from the forming die, thus causing destruction or partial damage to the containers, and in some cases the complete disorganization of the assembly line.

In this instance, the problem is overcome, as in the formed containers of greater depth, the lid or flanges 81 projecting from the top edges of the side walls will extend beyond the level 82 of the flush surface of the forming die and throat. In this event, the blank pick-up member, carrying the subsequent blank to be formed, will come in contact with the exposed lid or flanges of the formed container and turn the lid or flanges inwardly, thus disengaging the lid or flanges of the formed container from engagement wtih the edges and walls of the throat of the forming die and permit the container to eject itself by gravity from the forming die. Simultaneously the subsequent blank is placed in positive abutment position on the forming die, the blank pick-up mechanism is on its return journey to the magazine for withdrawing another blank therefrom, and the plunger is on its downward stroke for forcing the blank into the forming die.

The longitudinal rods 66 and 67 of the operating mechanism of the container forming machine have the eccentn'c rods 83 pivotally secured thereto at 84, and as shown in the drawings, are located between the pivotal connections of the operating rods 53 and 54 and the fixed hearing members 68 and 69. The eccentric rods 83 have their lower ends eccentrically secured to the driven wheels 85 which are connected to one another by the transverse shaft 86. The driven wheels are rotated and driven by a speed reducer and drive motor mechanism 87 through a belt and pulley mechanism 88.

It is of great importance that the blank is placed on the forming die with great accuracy for its successful folding into a formed container, as the slightest disarray or out of position of the blank on the forming die, at the moment the plunger engages it, will cause the blank to be incorrectly folded, and where self-locking flaps are employed, the walls of the container will not be locked properly and the blank or the partially formed container will have to be set aside as useless and a Waste. This mishap often causes a disruption of the assembly line, and

'on occasions, damage to the machine is eflected.

Furthermore, it is necessary that great care be taken that the blanks be fed singly to the forming die, as otherwise if several blanks adhere to one another and are placed in that condition on the forming die, the plunger will not be able to properly impel the adhering blanks through the throat of the forming machine due to insufiicient clearance space between the walls of the throat of the forming die and the plunger, thereby resulting in the destruction of the blanks, and again, the possible danger of damaging the machine.

These objectionable features, so often encountered in other types of forming machines are avoided in the present invention, because the magazine for the blanks is so constructed that unnecessary pressure to propel the blanks along the length of the magazine to the discharge end thereof, which results in the tight bunching of the blanks together and inviting them to stick to one another, is eliminated.

Furthermore, the magazine and the forming die are preferably integrally connected together as a common unit, and since the forming die is placed and secured in the machine frame with its throat in vertical alignment with the plunger no adjustments of any kin-d are required between the plunger, the forming die and the magazine, and definite and accurate action is assured in the removal of the blanks, one at a time, from the magazine and placing the same on the forming die in the predetermined precise position without the necessity of correcting the position by additional means. In this way the blanks are carefully guided and conveyed in a quick and efficient manner from the magazine to the forming die and any possible misalignment of the blank with the forming machine is eliminated.

The magazine for the blanks is secured to the container forming machine and is located in an adjacent position to the feed mechanism and within the reach and abuttal engagement of the blank pick-up member of the feed mechanism, at a predetermined point of its path of travel during its arcuate oscillation between the magazine and the forming die. The pre-cut blanks 27 are placed in an endwise position in the magazine and supported and guided therein in a suitable manner that will hereinafter be more fully described.

The magazine 35 consists of a gate 74 formed of the vertical posts 75 and 76 that are joined together at their lower ends by the transverse member 77 and their upper ends providing journals for the transverse roller 78, the whole completing an open frame through which blanks are removed from the magazine. These vertical posts have the blank retaining plates or fingers 79 and 80 projecting inwardly and which may be fixedly or movably secured thereto.

The blank supporting members 81 and 82 are secured to the inwardly projecting bracket plates 83 and 84, which are welded or otherwise secured to the vertical posts 75 and 76. These blank supporting members are parallel to one another and extend rearwardly, in a longitudinal direction, from the gate 74.

The shape and angular construction of these longitudinal blank supporting members is quite essential for the natural positioning and gravity feeding of the blanks along the length of the magazine and to the discharge end thereof, which is the gate, the gate being an integral part of the magazine, and, as a matter of fact, is an integral part of the forming die of the machine.

In prior structures of the blank magazines usedin feeding mechanisms for container forming machines, the magazines are set at too steep an angle; this has the effect of increasing the weight and pressure of the blanks at the discharge end of the magazine, thus creating greater difficulty in removing the blanks singly from the magazine.

In other instances the angle of the magazine is set in such a way that there is barely sufiicient gravity to give the required self-impulse to the blanks to make the requisite speed for the proper continuity of the flow of: the blanks to the discharge end of the magazine and their removal therefrom by the blank pick-up mechanism. In

other cases, where the magazine is set at an approximate horizontal position, pressure plates are utilized to push the blanks along the length of the magazine to the discharge end thereof, sometimes aided by movable blank supporting rods. Again this has been found unsatisfactory, since this has the effect of squeezing the blanks tightly together at the discharge end of the magazine, with the result, that in many instances the blanks adhere to one another and are removed in that condition fromthe magazine and deposited in the same. condition on the forming die.

In all such cases the blank supporting bars are rectilineally constructed and the whole magazine, as a unit, is generally set at the required angle.

In the present invention, such methods have been entirely averted. The blank supporting members 96 and 97 are deliberately constructed to be oh. the rectilinear line and in place thereof forming each of the blank supporting members with identical angles of varying degrees, such angles. of varying degrees merging with one another without deleting from each other their proper functions in permitting the blanks to move themselves, through gravity, to the gate of the magazine in an orderly manner; This is accomplished without any unnecessary pressure being applied to the blanks and the avoidance of any accumulated weight that ordinarily would build up at the exit end of the. magazine.

It has been found that excellent results have been obtained by having the longitudinal length of each of the blank supporting members divided into two sections or portions 100 and 101, the section or portion 100 that is adjacent to the discharge end or gate of the magazine being set at an approximate degree angle and this merges with the section or portion 101. The section 101 is set at an approximate degree angle and extends rearwardly of the front section or portion of the individual blank supporting member.

It is preferable that the stacking of the blanks in the magazine should commence at the discharge end or gate of the magazine and be supported endwiseon the blank supporting members and arranged vertically thereon. It will be noted that the front portions or sections 100 are located at the discharge end of the magazine and which are set at a 10 degree angle. As the stack of blanks inbers and the blanks will maintain their approximately ver- 1 tical angular and alignment position with the blank sup-- ported by the 10 degree angle front sectionor portion of the blank supporting members.

In this way, the blanks will not overcrowd one another and they will be free from the friction adhering contact with each other that otherwise would occur if the blanks were mounted on straight runways set at an angle that would cause the blanks to pack tightly against each other and which would be increased at the lower end of the straight runways.

Although the angular degrees as hereinbefore mentioned are acceptable for obtaining the requiring results, it is conceivable that in using blanks of different sizes and styles it may necessitate certain deviations from the angular degrees as set forth. Furthermore, the blank supporting members may be constructed to have their lengths made in a series of multiple step formations of varying degrees and accomplish the same purpose, and it is to be understood that in the formation ofthe blank supporting members into angular degrees of sections or portions they are not to be restricted. to any specified angular degrees or to the numberof angles that may be formed throughout the length of the blank supporting members.

The bracket arms 102 and 103 are welded or otherwise secured to the vertical posts 90 and 91 of the magazine and to the longitudinal arms 104- and 105. These longitudinal arms 104 and 105 have their front ends welded or otherwise secured to the forming die 55 and their other extremities extending rearwardly of the gate 89 and are adapted to be detachably secured to the frame of the container forming machine.

The forming die 55 is formed of the die plate 106 having the throat 58 and the blank guide members 107 and 108. The forming die is adapted to slidably or otherwise engage with the longitudinal channel members 109 and 110 that are bolted or otherwise secured to the side walls 37 of the container forming machine. Since it has already been determined that throat 58 of the forming die will be in alignment position with the plunger 56 when the forming die has been located in a certain position, all that is necessary i to secure the forming die to the channel members, and, as the forming die is integrally or fixedly secured to the magazine, no further adjustments are necessary for the gate, the blank pick-up member, and its operating mechanism, the plunger or forming die. By this simple installation everything is ready to convert the blanks into formed containers.

In FIGURE 14, slight variations to the magazine structure are illustrated, one variation is the utilization of air feeds to hollow blank supporting members, and the other variation is in having an apron integrally joining the magazine to the forming die,-but it must be understood that these variations may be used separately from one another, when it is found more convenient to do so. It may be also mentioned that the blank pick-up mechanism and the blank pick-up member may be used with other types of magazines, and, similarly the magazines may be utilized with other types of blank pick-up mechanisms and blank pick-up members without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention.

The blank supporting members 111 and 112, as shown in FIGURE 14, have a similar configuration to the blank supporting members 96 and 97 with the exception that they are hollow and are provided with a plurality of apertures 113 along their lengths to form air discharge ports, and also air inlets 114, connected to the hollow tubesior supporting members.

The purpose of this type of structure is to eject a flow of air, under pressure, from the blank supporting members so as to keep the bottom edges of the vertically arranged blanks, supported on the blank supporting means, constantly in vibration, while the forming machine is in operation, so as to reduce to a minimum any friction between the blanks and their blank supporting means and with one another.

The other variation, as illustrated in FIGURE 14, is in having the magazine and the forming die integrally joined in one solid piece for a firmer and sturdier structure. The modified magazine 115 illustrates the forming die 116, made from a flat horizontal plate, having the throat 117 for receiving the blanks and adapted to engage and be supported by the container forming machine, as hereinbefore described.

The forming die has one end suitably curved to project upwardly in the form of an apron 118 and is welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the uprights 119 and 120 of the magazine. The apron 118 has an opening therethrough that forms a gate and which is so located that it will be in the direct arcuate path of travel of the blank pick-up member as it moves to and from the gate and the throat of the forming die.

The gate has the blank retaining plates or fingers 122 projecting inwardly from its sides and that are adapted to engage and overlap slightly the edges of the foremost blank of the stack of blanks. Since there is little pressure exerted against the blanks, this is sufficient to hold back the blanks in the magazine and yet permitting easy removal of the foremost blank as it is suctionally withdrawn from the discharge end of the magazine by the blank pick-up mechanism for transferring the same to the forming die.

The formed containers may be removed from the container forming machine in various ways, such as through a chute (not shown) or by placing a conveyor 123 beneath the forming die and which is operated by a chain and gear mechanism 124 actuated by the motive power secured within the container forming machine. The conveyor is adapted to receive the formed containers that are dropped from the throat of the forming die and conveyed from the forming machine through the opening 125 made in one of the walls thereof.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein with considerable particularity, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that numerous modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention. Reference will therefore be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a feeding mechanism for a container forming machine, a machine frame, a magazine adapted to support a plurality of pre-cut blanks in an edgewise position; a container forming mechanism secured to said machine frame and including a forming die and plunger; a blank pick-up mechanism comprising a main transverse shaft journalled in said machine frame, parallel arms having their outer ends secured to said main transverse shaft, an oscillating rod secured to the inner ends of said parallel arms, supporting arms having their outer ends secured to the ends of said oscillating transverse rod, an auxiliary transverse shaft secured to said machine frame, lever arms having their inner ends pivotally connected with the other ends of said supporting arms and their outer ends secured to said auxiliary transverse shaft and extending therebeyond to form offset ends, offset bracket arms secured to said supporting arms, a blank pick-up member secured to said offset bracket arms,

and eccentrically operated and oscillating means connected to said lever arms and adapted to oscillate said transverse rod through the jackknifing of said pivoted supporting arms and said levers so as to control the movements of said blank pick-up member in such a way that the blank it is carrying and said supporting arms will be maintained in approximately parallel positions in relation to one another from the time of removing the blank from the magazine and until it has been placed flatwise on the forming die.

2. In a feeding mechanism for a container forming machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the supporting arms have their outer ends secured to the ends of said oscillating transverse rod and their inner ends terminating into forked ends, and lever arms pivotally secured to the forked ends of said supporting arms and to said auxiliary transverse shaft.

3. In a feeding mechanism for a container forming machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the means connecting the blank pick-up member to the supporting arms is secured to the supporting arms in the proximity of the pivotal joinder of said supporting arms with said lever arms.

4. In a feeding mechanism for a container forming 5 machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the main transverse shaft and the auxiliary transverse shaft are fulcrumed in fixed axial positions to said machine frame and the oscillating transverse rod forms a movable fulcrum for coaxial and parallel positions with the fixed fulcrumed positions of said main and auxiliary transverse shafts and energized by eccentrically operated and oscillating means through the pivotally connected supporting arms and lever arms for maintaining the approximate parallel position of said blank pick-up member to said supporting arms.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,805,060 9/1957 Lefief.

2,950,657 8/1960 Margetts 935 X 3,008,386 11/1961 Mosse 93-51 3,087,391 4/ 1963 Oakley 9351 3,127,027 3/1964 Roser et al.

BERNARD STICKNEY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A FEEDING MECHANISM FOR A CONTAINER FORMING MACHINE, A MACHINE FRAME, A MAGAZINE ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A PLURALITY OF PRE-CUT BLANKS IN AN EDGEWISE POSITION; A CONTAINER FORMING MECHANISM SECURED TO SAID MACHINE FRAME AND INCLUDING A FORMING DIE AND PLUNGER; A BLANK PICK-UP MECHANISM COMPRISING A MAIN TRANSVERSE SHAFT JOURNALLED IN SAID MACHINE FRAME, PARALLEL ARMS HAVING THEIR OUTER ENDS SECURED TO SAID MAIN TRANSVERSE SHAFT, AN OSCILLATING ROD SECURED TO THE INNER ENDS OF SAID PARALLEL ARMS, SUPPORTING ARMS HAVING THEIR OUTER ENDS SECURED TO THE ENDS OF SAID OSCILLATING TRANSVERSE ROD, AN AUXILIARY TRANSVERSE SHAFT SECURED TO SAID MACHINE FRAME, LEVER ARMS HAVING THEIR INNER ENDS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED WITH THE OTHER ENDS OF SAID SUPPORTING ARMS AND THEIR OUTER ENDS SECURED TO SAID AUXILIARY TRANSVERSE SHAFT AND EXTENDING THEREBEYOND TO FORM OFFSET ENDS, OFFSET BRACKET ARMS SECURED TO SAID SUPPORTING ARMS, A BLANK PICK-UP MEMBER SECURED TO SAID OFFSET BRACKET ARMS, AND ECCENTRICALLY OPERATED AND OSCILLATING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID LEVER ARMS AND ADAPTED TO OSCILLATE SAID TRANSVERSE ROD THROUGH THE JACKNIFING OF SAID PIVOTED SUPPORTING ARMS AND SAID LEVERS SO AS TO CONTROL THE MOVEMENTS OF SAID BLANK PICK-UP MEMBER IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE BLANK IT IS CARRYING SAID SUPPORTING ARMS WILL BE MAINTAINED IN APPROXIMATELY PARALLEL POSITIONS IN RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER FROM THE TIME OF REMOVING THE BLANK FROM THE MAGAZINE AND UNITL IT HAS BEEN PLACED FLATWISE ON THE FORMING DIE. 